CVC for global cooperation in fighting corruption

Hyderabad, July 7 (IANS) The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is developing a system for cooperation among anti-corruption agencies across the world, an official said here Saturday.

A Task Force of the CVC is developing Knowledge Management System, which will enable the anti-graft agencies to exchange their information, knowledge and experiences, said Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar.

Addressing the ninth anniversary of Vigilance Study Circle here Saturday, Kumar said that CVC as a member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities was working on the system for global cooperation.

He observed that the international cooperation in corruption investigations and a concerted approach for recovery of stolen assets should be given priority.

“Fighting corruption is no longer a purely domestic affair as corruption has taken international dimensions.

“Proceeds of corruption are laundered in other countries through various forms of illicit financial transactions and it is proving difficult to take action against foreign companies that are involved in bribery in India,” Kumar said.

Kumar hoped that governance reforms, which were long overdue but being introduced in India, would go a long way in tackling the menace of corruption effectively.

“I am very optimistic that these important reforms, when implemented, would result in a paradigm shift in the approach towards fighting corruption and also improve governance”, he said.

While pointing out that corruption has been in the mainstream of public debate in the last two years, Kumar said: “While it cannot be said definitely whether corruption has increased, the negative perception about corruption in India has certainly increased. Though the situation may seem grim, let us not go home with the impression that nothing or very little is being done.”

Kumar said an Act to regulate delivery of public services was being legislated and hoped that this would help curb petty corruption.

The CVC also calls for focusing on the supply side in corrupt deals.

“For the past five decades, our anti-corruption efforts have largely focused on the demand side corruption… the public servant who receives or solicits bribe. With a liberalised economy and changing dynamics between public and private sector, there is a need to focus on the supply side of corruption…offering of bribe. Various regulatory changes in this direction are being contemplated,” Kumar said.

“When somebody does give bribe and there is a favour given, each is a complement of the other. When you are talking about supply side corruption, somebody wants a favour in the form of licenses, leasing rights, so many other things… they give money to get a quid pro quo. It forms part of corruption,” he added.